How quick do feathers grow?

DanceswithCows

DanceswithCows

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Got a hairy cob - whilst I like looking at feathers at shows etc., can't say I'm a fan of the maintenance and muddy field version. She also came with feather mites and although she's now been dectomax'd, tidier is maybe better for the future....

Trouble is, she'll live out all year and if I just clip them off completely that'll leave her a bit exposed in winter, right? So, what if I clip them off in autumn and they get a bit of regrowth in winter, then when spring rolls round they can come off again for summer?

Or do they grow much quicker than that? Or can I coat her clipped legs in something to protect them?
 
Hi, not sure if i can help with maintenance - its all new to me too, having recently bought a hairy cob! :). However, my girl was clipped out 2 months ago when i bought her and her feathers are now about 2 inches long! i was hoping you would get some replies as i too am contemplating whether to grow them or clip them off! :)
 
I have a Welsh sec B type that gets his feathers trimmed once a year, they take a full six months to even think about growing back so personally I wouldn't contemplate it with (for example) a traditional that needs a really full set of natural full feathers. If feathers aren't needed for the showing you want to do then I would trim and not worry, the horse will have some sort of feather by winter, horses cope with no feathers in the mud after all
 
Our hairy cob has got to have her thick feathers off, she came with feather mites :-( shes had Dectomax and now the vet has said I've got to clip her legs, I'm a huge fan of feathers so its a bit gutting!

Our TB suffers with mud fever but I found this winter a gel/cream called "Heel to Hoof" made by Barrier, it cleared up the mudfever in a week and protected him for the rest of the winter, oh and smells gorgeous!

Someone also recommended that we put baby oil in the feathers in winter to protect them but havent tried that yet! Heres to hoping the feathers grow back quickly!!
 
WelshD said:
I have a Welsh sec B type that gets his feathers trimmed once a year, they take a full six months to even think about growing back so personally I wouldn't contemplate it with (for example) a traditional that needs a really full set of natural full feathers. If feathers aren't needed for the showing you want to do then I would trim and not worry, the horse will have some sort of feather by winter, horses cope with no feathers in the mud after all
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even if they are prone to mud fever? my mare got it last year apparently and there is still a small ish area, say size of 50p, that has scabs which are falling off when i comb her feathers through. WWYD in that situation?. would you aggravate them by scrubbing them off (hibiscrub and sudocream for eg? or leave them be?. i would like to show her next summer in Traditional classes. thank you and sorry to hijack your thread Danceswithcows :)
 
All my cobs will grow their feathers back fully after clipping in around 4 to 6 months, unfortunatley the feathers go through a really ugly stage that make the legs look like blocks of wood lol
 
AdorableAlice said:
Too quick for my liking. By the time I have finished clipping all four legs the first one starts growing again.
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Haha, this!

I clip my maxicob's legs every 4 weeks. They look good and smart for about ten days, then start looking scratty. However, I refuse to clip more than once a month, as although he's very well behaved, it knackers my back each time.

I did try growing his feathers out completely, but his feather mites and generally scabby legs got much worse. Oh, and my then farrier completely fooked up his foot balance because he couldn't see what he was doing.
 
Hairy or non I pig oil my lot one has no hair tbx and like to stand in mud knee deep,I still stick a coating on, I never wAsh legs in winter I stable & brush mud off, or clumps hose the tips & break with fingers it's a long tasks, I believe this has helped my guys not getting mudfever.
 
Tiddlypom said:
Haha, this!

I clip my maxicob's legs every 4 weeks. They look good and smart for about ten days, then start looking scratty. However, I refuse to clip more than once a month, as although he's very well behaved, it knackers my back each time.
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I probably shouldn't admit this - but I sit cross-legged on the ground to clip Alf's legs. Not very BHS, but much easier on the back!
 
AdorableAlice said:
What type of blades are you all using ? I have A2's on but could do with a closer clip.
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Beware the closer clip, I did this recently and cob ended up with 4 pink, nearly hairless legs which I then had to plaster in sunblock :rolleyes3:.

I use heiniger coarse blades, backed up with oster small animal no 80/ size 10 (1.8mm) blades for the tricky bits. The too close cut was done with oster size 30/0.5mm blades. (If this makes any sense.)
 
AdorableAlice said:
Not sure they would be impressed with barge horse legs.
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You'd be surprised! Alf has quite substantial fuzz if I let him. I use the comb guide thingies, and make sure it's plugged in, rather than on battery power, and it does a decent job. Admittedly, I never let his feathers get longer than about 2cm
 
I used to have to clip mine about once a month to keep them looking tidy and tbh you are better keeping on top of them. Either have them long or clipped imo, no inbetween!
 
WelshD said:
If feathers aren't needed for the showing you want to do then I would trim and not worry, the horse will have some sort of feather by winter, horses cope with no feathers in the mud after all
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Haha should have clarified, I don't DO showing, I just meant, 'feathers look nice when other people look after them'...my mare wouldn't win any show :'( :D

Hm. Seems it's all gunna be high maintenance whatever I do!
 
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